PUBLIC SERVANTS:An official report showed a large rise in government staffing costs in a number of regions due to administrative changes, hiring and promotions

By contrast, Taipei City and Kaohsiung had already been special municipalities prior to 2010, and New Taipei City had been deemed a special municipality in all but name prior to its official elevation in status, Huang added.

The nation has five special municipalities: New Taipei City (formerly Taipei county); Greater Taichung (the merged Taichung county and city); Greater Tainan (Tainan county and city); Greater Kaohsiung (Kaohsiung county and city); and Taipei City.